Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and maintain surveillance systems for vaccine preventable diseases, focusing on Enteroviruses including Polio
- Manage and analyse surveillance data received into the department from a variety of sources which will require the co-ordination of regular follow-up of relevant reports for further epidemiological information and confirmation samples where necessary.
- Work closely with members of the team to assist in responding to ad hoc queries which require scientific input
- Liaise with clinicians to obtain enhanced surveillance data and liaise with NHS, the UK Teratology Information Service and reference laboratories on laboratory data
- Prepare routine surveillance reports for the Health Protection Report.
- Assist in the investigation and control of outbreaks
- Undertake evaluation of surveillance systems including conducting complex statistical analyses of these data.
- Contribute and project manage specific research studies of vaccine preventable diseases
- Analyse surveillance data and results of studies and write reports and papers for scientific journals.
- Contribute to writing of policy documents for the prevention and control of vaccine preventable diseases.
- Assist in the preparation of papers and reports to inform policy for the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
- Design presentations and present surveillance data and study results at in-house, national and international meetings/conferences and attend national and international conferences.
- Develop teaching material and teach on in-house courses and external courses
- Represent Immunisation Department in weekly infections update meeting and develop/ maintain appropriate pages on UKHSA website
- To support public health incident responses that the Immunisation and Vaccine-Preventable Disease division support or lead on, all members of the division who are EO grade and above are required to undertake the appropriate training for task manager role, to be able to undertake the role of task manager as and when required.
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
Selection Process Details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 8 essential criteria listed in the Person Specification, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- 750 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria (to be taken through to shortlisting)
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the essential criteria:
- Postgraduate work/study in public health, microbiology, epidemiology or an allied subject
- Developing / using relational databases (including Access and SQL), statistical and graphics packages (including R) to an advanced level
We will only assess on desirable criteria in the event of a strong field of candidates, and as a second stage after essential criteria have been considered.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a single remote interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
There will be a technical test and a presentation.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our offices/lab in Colindale, London. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month). If based at one of our labs you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks tobe carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You shouldnormally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requiresCounter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency lessthan the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting andapplicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for furtheradvice.
Eligibility Criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed isCounter-terrorist Check.
For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requiresCounter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
